A RALLY will be held today in Belfast in support of British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
The campaign has focused on a former Paratrooper known as ‘Soldier F’ who is to be charged with murdering two people during Bloody Sunday in January 1972.
Two groups, Paras Fight Back and NI Crown Forces Veterans for Justice (NICFV), have organised today’s protest – dubbed the ‘Rally for Justice’ – which will take place at the City Hall.
Lagan Valley SDLP assembly member Pat Catney has complained about a banner supporting ‘Soldier F’ put up in the Ballymacash district of Lisburn.
He said the banner, which is across a roadway, has been put up outside a polling station.
“We don’t need to be poking each other in the eye,” he said.
Mr Catney urged people to be “sensitive” as legal processes are currently underway including the Ballymurphy inquest.
“There is an inquest and court case and all we get is more flags and bunting and that’s not where we want to be.”
Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn also said the banner was designed to increase community tensions in the area.
Meanwhile, the IRSP has called off a planned protest today, saying it had become aware that the City Hall event was being organised by people from the loyalist community.
Hardline republican party Saoradh said it had also dropped plans to hold a counter protest “following consultation with families affected by collusion and state murder, in addition to an internal membership discussion”.
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Connla Young for the original story
